Thread: N4400 assembly assistance required please.

1. There are only 3 hex head bolts, and one with an allen key socket - The idea is to make it easier to adjust from above. It looks like the one near your big allen key.

2. Yes, you do have to cut your own slot in the insert.
The insert has to be planed down to fit in. Do it a bit at a time so that it's a good tight fit, and adjust the level with the level with the grub screws underneath.

And don't worry about looking like a twit when you ring Mr. Felder. I'm sure they get stupider questions than those.

When you first switch it on, then off, you'll hear a humming sound after the saw has stopped. Don't panic. It's not something shorting out, it's the brake. (Mine's a single phase, so don't panic if it doesn't happen, either.)

Thanks guys, looks like I was on the right track at least...
The guys from Felder confirmed that the 3 hex head bolts are for levelling the base, and specifically, the grub screw one goes in the front RHS hole, to allow the door to open over it. Apparently if you put a hex head one there, the door will hit the head of the bolt. (will have to check that later).

did you get a mitre fence with yours? All the pictures I saw of the bandsaw showed one on it. I thought I'd thoroughly researched this, but Mr Felder tells me that is an optional extra that is $89 + GST and not a standard item.

Anyone get one with theirs? Is it worth $100 odd dollars?

Is there a better one out there that I should get instead from some other supplier?

Alex - thanks. I will let you know whether or not mine has a braking sound after switching off (just as soon as I get a 3 phase circuit run in the shed so I can power it up!!!) I can imagine how concerning it would be to hear a noise like that, and not have been forewarned. Cheers!

Timbernut

"Anyone get one with theirs? Is it worth $100 odd dollars?
Is there a better one out there that I should get instead from some other supplier?"

Yes I got the Mitre fence, I'll have to check the invoice to see if I was charged for it, but dont recall it as an extra. (the 1ph saw is $100 dollars more than the 3Ph saw, maybe this is why?) I dont think its worth any where near $100, and have only used it a few times. If I need to use a mitre fence I use the table saw.

I had to ring Felder to ask about the insert!, they were really helpful, and didnt make me feel like an idiot at all.

Couple of points/niggles;

1. Dust collection is so..so

2. Fence is high, and often need a spacer (ie 100x40 board) to cut thin material with top guide close to table (other wise the guide hits the fence about 100mm above table) I think Felder should supply a spacer fence

3. The bottom guide on the band saw is a bit fiddley to set when changing blades ( I think I may end up cutting a hole in front with a hole saw to get easier access to it, cant understand why one isn't there already.)

4. It could do with some levelling feet, I've been meaning to buy some from Austeel (s/s machine feet about $30)

All that said the band saw (1ph) is brilliant,
Setup was a breeze/ cutting striaght out of the box/ Ive cut a few 300dia hardwood logs into boards on it without a hitch (I have a selection of blades from "henry bros")

You wont be dissapointed!

Felder sales service and follow up, to see if every thing was ok, is the best I've received.

I'll let you know if the mitre was an extra, and post a photo of cutting one of the logs

Tim

Tim, thanks for the info. Peter at Felder NSW told me the mitre fence is definately an optional extra ($89 + GST) - rather annoying if you ask me. I just assumed it would come with one (more fool me, I guess).

re point 4. I bought some casters from Bunnings to bolt to the LHS front and rear, and some rubber feet for the RHS. I then turned up some small legs for the rubber feet, and mounted the levelling bolts in upside down. Now I can just wind the rubber feet up/down to level as I need.
I also welded up a lifting bar and mounted 2 x casters on it too (borrowed the idea from the Felder catalogue).
Total cost for casters, bolts, etc - about $15.
Steel for welding bar - used offcuts. Free.

now I have a moveable N4400 for $15. Damn site cheaper than the $120+ lifting kit from Felder. (maybe I can use those savings to buy a mitre fence )

2. Fence is high, and often need a spacer (ie 100x40 board) to cut thin material with top guide close to table (other wise the guide hits the fence about 100mm above table) I think Felder should supply a spacer fence

g'day teepee

the fence can actually be mounted on its side (ie face down) so you can bring the top blade guide down to about 20mm from the table.

cheers
BD

Alex, finally powered it up. 3 phase might be great for torque - but damn, those power points are expensive!!! Materials JUST to run 1 x 10A 3phase point from the sub-board in the shed - $440 (and that's trade price!). Lucky I didn't have to pay a sparky to wire it up!

That humming - yes, the 3 phase motor has it too. Once the motor stops spinning, it continues for about 3-4 seconds. Very unsettling if you don't know what it is, so thanks for the heads-up on that one.

Hey Timbernut,

No mention of Mitre as extra with my invoice.Just turned up with saw.
Your not missing out, it's not very good quality. Definitley not worth $100.

Thanks BrownDog, I did just notice that tonight, but its a couple of socket head hex screws to stuff around with, there's got to be a better way! there is, 2 seconds to put a board down. I've never used it, I'll give try. Thanks )

cheers

Teepee,

see this screw here, does yours sit nice and flat when you tighten it up to hold the front cover over the band?
Attachment 66264

When I was assembling mine, it seems that when you do it up, it rests 1/2 on the lip that curves around from the front, and half off it (see bodgy top view pic).
Attachment 66265

For a well made bandsaw, this seems a bit of an oversight. If you do that screw up tight, it'll just push the front cover open gradually. I know you don't need massive pressure on it, but just 'enough' to hold closed will gradually push the front cover open.

Is yours like that?

Timbernut

Timbernut,

sorry, I just came across my order today for the n4400, the mitre gauge was an extra for $89.

The wingnut on the top cover is as you descibed, it works fine.

regards

teepee